The Berkshire born actress and dancer is believed to be the favourite to land the role in the forthcoming sequel to last year’s Marvel action movie Captain America following the death of her Downton Abbey character Lady Sybil Crawley earlier this month.

With the expection of a role in Niall MacCormick’s comedy-drama Albatross, Brown Findlay’s career has thus far been confined to the small screen, with roles in the Charlie Brooker creation Black Mirror and in the E4 show MisFits.

Tim Burton reportedly considered Findlay for the lead in his adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, but ultimately gave the role to Australian actress Mia Wasikowska.

Her promotion to feature films has only taken place over the last year – she has recently been cast with smaller roles in Andrew Levitas’ Lullaby, opposite Garrett Hedlund and Amy Adams, and in Akiva Goldsman’s Winter’s Tale, opposite Russell Crowe and Will Smith.

Brown Findlay will face stiff competition for the role from actresses including Game Of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke, Teresa Palmer, who starred in sci-fi film I Am Number Four, Imogen Poots from 28 Weeks Later and Mad Men’s Alison Brie, all of whom are auditioning for the role.

If she is succesful in landing the role, Brown Findlay will follow Hayley Atwell from British TV and theatre to the higher echelons of the international film industry. Atwell was plucked from relative obscurity to star in the film opposite Evans, and has since landed prominent parts in The Return of Captain Nemo, All is By My Side, I, Anna and The Sweeney. She will also appear in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

Frank Grillo is in line to play villain Crossbones in the Marvel movie and Sebastian Stan has been linked to the role of The Winter Soldier.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier is set to be released in April 2014, and will also see Anthony Mackie portray Falcon and Scarlett Johansson reprise her role as Natasha Romanoff.